Much has been said about him, but perhaps the most surprising—and the phrase that best captures who Luis Valls was—came from “Uncle Alberto,” the soul behind Ciudad de los Muchachos, a community for at-risk youth in the south of Madrid. He dubbed him “a banker in sandals.”

Describing a multifaceted figure like Luis Valls Taberner is no easy task. He was an exceptional banker, a humanist by vocation, and an tireless philanthropist.

With a degree and doctorate in law, he joined Banco Popular in 1953 and, just four years later at the age of 31, was appointed Executive Vice President. In 1972, he became Chairman of the bank, a position he held until 2004.

In this video summary, many voices reflect on how they saw this banker from Barcelona. Some focus on his professional side, noting how he created a distinctive style of banking unlike anything else in the industry—banking grounded in rigor, professionalism, teamwork, and hard work. These qualities led Banco Popular to be recognized for two years as the most profitable bank in the world. But beyond profitability and efficiency, Valls emphasized customer service, institutional loyalty, ongoing professional development, and above all, a belief in a socially committed form of banking—one that far exceeded what many expect of the financial sector.

From the 1950s onward, Luis Valls envisioned a kind of banking that extended far beyond the business itself, always seeking to support the most vulnerable.

The testimonials featured describe his personality, his working style, the importance he placed on effort and teamwork, his spirituality, and his philanthropic legacy.

Little by little, those who knew him piece together their personal views and experiences, painting a picture of this banker who left a profound mark on Spain.

The range of voices is remarkably diverse: from his successor as bank president and top-level executives to entry-level employees of the institution. Also featured are beneficiaries of his foundations—students, immigrants, people facing serious financial hardship, nuns, and priests. Journalists, family members, business school professors, actresses, union leaders, and politicians also share their memories.

Luis Valls had many interests beyond banking. He was passionate about reading, theater, and cinema. One of his most well-known habits was giving books as gifts, and he helped finance the creation of many libraries. He kept up with the latest cultural trends, but those who knew him say it was his love of journalism that stood out most. In fact, not only was he an avid newspaper reader, but he also supported the creation of Diario Madrid.

His commitment to education and concern for young people were defining aspects of his legacy. The foundations he inspired supported dozens of initiatives promoting education, reading, study, and entrepreneurship.

These foundations represented a unique way of understanding banking. Valls persuaded the bank’s board members to forgo what were then called “statutory allowances”—what we might now call board fees—and instead donate them to social causes. For decades, this generosity allowed thousands of people to benefit personally and professionally—not only in Spain but across the globe.

Valls’ vision was revolutionary not just in the origin of these funds, but in how they were used. His approach to social initiatives was usually through highly favorable loans, with the expectation that recipients would strive to repay them. This achieved two things: it “dignified the requestor,” encouraging responsibility rather than fostering dependency, and it enabled the recycling of funds to support future initiatives. In return, he asked only two things: anonymity and prayers for himself and his brother.

His transcendent view of life was deeply ingrained in him. Without ever flaunting it—in fact, always modest and private—Luis Valls had profound Christian roots and was a committed member of Opus Dei from the age of 20, when he clearly recognized his vocation. Austere and detached from materialism, he always saw spiritual goals as his highest aspiration.

Luis Valls, a humanist banker with a style all his own, was born on June 5, 1926, in Barcelona and died in Madrid on February 25, 2006.

The video closes with an illustration of a portrait of Valls, composed of the words used by those who gave their testimonies. The most frequently repeated words appear in larger type, forming a rich, detailed mosaic that reflects both mastery and vision. A symbolic tribute that seeks to encapsulate the accomplished life of this remarkable man.